Seal coating machine

ABSTRACT

An asphalt sealing machine for applying a sealer coating to asphalt paving or the like. The machine includes a body having a tank for storing fluid and a spreader means including two spaced scrapers and a rotary spreader to which fluid is dispensed from the tank. A pair of spaced wheels movably support the body and are connected to the body for rotation about an axis. A second or dirigible wheel is operatively connected to the tank by positioning means. The dirigible wheel is on one side of the axis of the first pair of support wheels and the spreader means is on the opposite side of the axis. The positioning means interconnecting the tank and the dirigible wheel include a pair of spaced parallel links and a lever arm connected thereto which may be pivoted to raise and lower the tank to thereby raise and lower the spreader means from a position engaging the surface over which the machine moves to a position spaced above the surface.

United States Patent Wikel et al. 1 Nov. 28, 1972 [54] SEAL COATINGMACHINE 2,968,356 l/ 1961 Mydels 172/417 X Inventors: C. m 3, 1 1 l 7 xH. Smith, Burgoon, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: Wikel Manufacturing Co.,Inc., Sandusky, Ohio [22] Filed: Jan. 22, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 108,825

[52] U.S. Cl ..94/44 [51] Int. Cl ..E01c 19/12 [58] Field of Search..94/39, 44, 46; 172/417, 484; 180/50 D; 299/39 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,533,336 10/1970 Wikel ..94/44 2,468,336 4/1949Lewis ..299/39 3,228,484 1/1966 Arnold ..172/417 X 3,517,747 6/1970Fischer ..172/417 X 3,554,295 1/1971 Kopaska ..172/417 X 3,333,518 8/1967 Shell ..94/44 3,283,675 1 1/1966 Gifford ..94/44 X 3,348,32310/1967 Purdy ..172/417 X 3,358,777 12/1967 Groenke ..172/417 PrimaryExaminer.lacob L. Nackenofl Att0mey--McGlynn, Reising, Milton &Ethington [57] ABSTRACT An asphalt sealing machine for applying a sealercoating to asphalt paving or the like. The machine includes a bodyhaving a tank for storing fluid and a spreader means including twospaced scrapers and a rotary spreader to which fluid is dispensed fromthe tank. A pair of spaced wheels movably support the body and areconnected to the body for rotation about an axis. A second or dirigiblewheel is operatively connected to the tank by positioning means. Thedirigible wheel is on one side of the axis of the first pair of supportwheels and the spreader means is on the opposite side of the axis. Thepositioning means interconnecting the tank and the dirigible wheelinclude a pair of spaced parallel links and a lever arm connectedthereto which may be pivoted to raise and lower the tank to therebyraise and lower the spreader means from a position engaging the surfaceover which the machine moves to a position spaced above the surface.

'7 Clains, 3 Drawing Figures sEAL COATING MACHINE This invention relatesto a machine of the type for applying a coating to a surface such asapplying a sealant to asphalt pavement. Such machines are frequentlycalled seal coaters or seal applicators.

Such machines typically include a body including a tank for storing thecoating fluid with means for dispensing the coating fluid from thestorage tank. They also include some sort of spreading device to spreadthe coating material over the surface. The machines are supported bywheels, some of which are driven and others of which are steerable. Mostseal coating machines of this type in the past are relatively large andprovide a seat so that they may be ridden by the operator. All suchmachines provide some provision whereby the spreading assembly may beraised out of contact with the surface over which the machine is moving.Typical of such prior art machines is that shown in U.S. Pat. No.3,533,336. Although the machine shown in that patent is an excellentmachine, it is particularly adapted forcoating relatively large areasand there is not available a suitable smaller machine which may beeconomically utilized for smaller areas such as driveways and the like.

Accordingly, it is an object and feature of this invention to provide amachine of the type for applying a coating to a surface in an efficientand effective manner when the area of the surface is relatively small.

In correlation with the foregoing object and feature, it is anotherobject and feature of this invention to provide such a machine whereinthe spreading means is a rigid part of the body of the machine and israised and lowered by relative vertical movement between the other endof the body means and one of the wheels.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will bereadily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by referenceto the following detailed description when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of theinstant invention showing the machine with the spreader means in theraised position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but showing thespreader means in the lowered position engaging the surface over whichthe machine is moving; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but showing theopposite side of the machine.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a machine of the typefor applying a coating to a surface such as applying a sealant toasphalt pavement is generally shown at 10.

The machine'includes a body means generally indicated at 12. The bodymeans 12 includes longitudinally extending channel members or supportmeans 14 which are interconnected by appropriate braces. The body meansalso includes a reservoir means comprising a tank 16. Also included is aspreader means generally indicated at 18 for distributing fluid over asurface as indicated at 20 in FIG. 2. The tank 16 stores fluid anddispenses the fluid to the spreader means 18.

The machine also includes wheel means comprising a pair of spaced wheels22 which movably support the body means 12. The wheels 22 are supportedby one or more shafts which are connected to the body means 12 throughthe plates 24. The wheels 22 rotate relative to the body means about theaxis of these shafts.

The machine also includes a second wheel means comprising the dirigiblewheel generally indicated at 26. The spreader means 18 is disposed on afirst side of the axis of rotation of the wheels 20 and the dirigiblewheel 26 is disposed on a second side of an axis of rotation of thewheels 22.

The machine further includes positioning means generally indicated at 28interconnecting the dirigible wheel 26 and the body means 12 forrotating the body means 12 about the axis of rotation of the wheels 22to vary the vertical position or height of the spreader means 18 abovethe surface 20 upon which the machine is supported.

The positioning means 28 includes a manually graspable lever arm 30which is pivotally supported on the tank 16 for movement between anextreme raised position as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, where thespreader means 18 is at a maximum height relative to the surface 20, andan extreme lowered position as illustrated in FIG. 2, where the spreadermeans 18 is at a minimum height relative to the surface 20.

The positioning means 28 further includes a pair of generally parallellinks 32 which are pivotally connected at the first ends thereof to thetank 16, for pivotal movement about horizontal axes, as indicated at 34,and pivotally connected at the second ends thereof to the dirigiblewheel 26, for pivotal movement about horizontal axes, as indicated at36. Preferably the links 32 are flat plate-like members with the lowerlink 32 rigidly connected to a shaft 38 as shown in FIG. 3. The leverarm 30 is also rigidly connected to the shaft 38 so that upon pivotalmovement of the arm 30, the links 32 move between the raised positionillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 and the lowered position illustrated inFIG. 2.

The dirigible wheel assembly 26 includes a shaft support comprising aplate 40with a pair of spaced flanges 42 extending perpendiculartherefrom so as to be pivotally connected to the links 32. A pair ofspaced bearing brackets 44 are connected to the plate 40 and rotatablysupport a generally vertically disposed steering shaft 46. Thus, thesteering shaft 46 is rotatably supported by the shaft support which isin turn pivotally connected at 36 to the links 32. A fork or yoke 48 isattached to the lower end of the shaft 46 and is rotatably connected tothe dirigible wheel 50. A steering means comprising a bent extension 52and a T-bar 54 is connected to the upper end of the shaft 46 forrotating the shaft 46 to steer the machine. As viewed in FIG. 1, theshaft 46 and the dirigible wheel 50 are in the position they wouldnormally be in when the machine is moving to the right as viewed inFIG. 1. As viewed in FIG. 2, the steering shaft 46 is in the position itwould normally be in when the machine is moving to the left as viewed inFIG. 2, it being remembered that the machine moves to the left as viewedin FIG. 2 when applying a coating to the surface 20.

A guide means comprising an arcuate plate 56 having a slot therein issecured to one side of the tank 16 for guiding the movement of the leverarm 30. The slot in the plate 56 has an offset portion at the upperarcuate end thereof in which the lever arm 30 may be? disposed to retainthe lever arm in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 which is the extremelowered position. This is necessary because when the tank 16 is full offluid the moment about the axis of rotation of the wheels 22 is suchthat the machine would tend to move to the position illustrated in FIGS.1 and 3 if the handle 30 is not maintained in the position illustratedin FIG. 2.

The machine also includes a motor drive means generally indicated at 58.The motor drive means preferably includes a gasolinetype internalcombustion engine and a hydrostatic transmission. The engine and thetransmission are disposed on the opposite extremity of the tank 16 fromthe dirigible wheel assembly 26 and between the tank 16 and the spreadermeans 18. The hydrostatic transmission is in driving engagement with thepair of spaced wheels 22 for propelling the machine.

The spreader means 18 includes a first scraper means 60 and a secondscraper means 62. The spreader means 18 also includes a rotatablespreader 64 comprising a plurality of elongated flexible rubber-likemembers of the type well known for use with this type of machine.

The tank 16 has an opening in the top which may be closed by the cover66 which is hinged at 68 to the top of the tank. Abracket 70 is attachedto the tank and limits opening movement of the cover 66 as illustratedin phantom in FIG. 1. Also disposed within the tank 16 is a rotaryagitator means 72 for mixing the fluid .disposed withinthe tank 16.

the valve 76 by the linkage means including the links 80, 82, 84 and 86.Movement of the control lever along the side of the tank 16 opens-andcloses the valve 76 to selectively dispense fluid from the tank 16 tothe first scraper 60. i

As illustrated in FIG. 3, motion transmitting means comprising sprockets88, 89, 90, 91, 92 and 93 and the chains 94 and 96 operativelyinterconnect the hydrostatic transmission of the drive means 58 and theagitator means 72 and the rotatable spreader 64 for rotating the same.

There is also included a power control means including the handle 98which is operatively supported by the tank 16 adjacent the dirigiblewheel assembly 26 and the links 99, 100 and 101 which operativelyconnect the handle 98 to the hydrostatic transmission for controllingthe direction and speed of movement of the machine.

The container 102 serves as a reservoir for supplying fluid to thehydrostatic transmission.

The operation of the machine is apparent from the above description butwill be briefly reviewed. When the machine is not being used to apply acoating, it is stored and driven in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1and 3. In this position, the lever 30 is in the extreme forward positionor in the extreme raised position. The valve 76 is closed and thespreader means 18 is raised from and spaced from the surface supportingthe machine. When the machine is in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1and 3, it may travel in either direction ble wheel 50 will be in theposition shown in FIG. 1. However, if the machine is traveling to theleft as viewed in FIG. 1, the dirigible wheel 50 will be reversed andwill be in the position illustrated in FIG. 2.

When it is desired to apply a coating to a surface, the tank 16 isfilled with fluid and the lever 30 is moved to the position illustratedin FIG. 2 which is the extreme lowered position where the spreader means18 engages the surface 20. The power control handle 98 is moved to theposition where the machine moves to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 and atthe same time the handle 78 is and if traveling to the right as viewedin FIG. 1, dirigi- I manipulated to allow a certain amount of fluid tobe dispensed to the left of the first scraper which extends across themachine and has engulfing sides as illustrated. Preferably, the firstscraper 60 is of a configuration to form a rectangular elongated pocketinto which the material is dispensed. As the machine moves over thesurface, the rotating spreader 64 spreads the material over the surfacefollowed by the material being engaged by the second scraper 62. As themachine is moving over a surface, it is steered by moving the handle 54.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is tobe understood that the terminology whichhas been used is intended to bein the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows: v

l. A machine of the type for applying a coating to a surface such asapplying a sealant to asphalt pavement, said machine comprising; bodymeans including spreader means for distributing fluid over a surface andreservoir means for storing fluid and dispensing fluid to said spreadermeans, first wheel means movably supporting said body means andconnected to said body means for rotation relative thereto about anaxis, said spreader means disposed on a first side of said axis, secondwheel means disposed on a second side of said axis, and positioningmeans interconnecting said second wheel means and said body means tomove the body means relative to the second wheel means for rotating saidbody means about said axis to vary the vertical position of saidspreader means above the surface supporting said machine said secondwheel means including at least one shaft support operatively connectedto said positioning means, at least one shaft rotatably supported bysaid shaft support, at least one dirigible wheel operatively connectedto said shaft, and steering means connected to said shaft for rotatingsaid shaft to steer said machine.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said positioning meansincludes a manually graspable lever arm pivotally supported on said bodymeans for movement between an extreme raised position where saidspreader means is at a maximum height relative to the surface and anextreme lowered position where said spreader means is at a minimumheight relative to the surface.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said positioning meansfurther includes a pair of generally parallel links pivotally connectedat first ends thereof to said body means and pivotally connected atsecond ends thereof to said shaft support, said links being connected tosaid lever arm for movement therewith.

4. A machine as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second wheel meansincludes a single dirigible wheel.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first wheel meansincludes a pair of spaced wheels.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said reservoir meanscomprises a tank, said first ends of said links being pivotallyconnected to said tank for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis,said lever arm being pivotally connected to said tank for fore and aftmovement along one side thereof, guide means secured to said one side ofsaid tank for guiding movement of said lever arm and for retaining saidlever arm in at least said extreme lowered position, a motor drive meansdisposed on the opposite extremity of said tank from said dirigiblewheel and between said tank and said spreader means, said motor drivemeans being operatively connected to said pair of spaced wheels, saidspreader means including a first and second scraper means with arotatable spreader disposed therebetween, rotary agitator means disposedin said tank for mixing the fluid therein, a conduit extending from saidtank to a valve disposed above said first scraper means, linkage meansoperatively connected to said valve and extending to a control leverpivotally supported on said tank for opening and closing said valve toselectively dispense fluid to said first scraper means, motiontransmitting means operatively interconnecting said motor drive meansand said agitator means and said rotatable spreader for rotating same,and power control means operatively supported by said tank adjacent saiddirigible wheel and operatively connected to said motor drive means forcontrolling the direction and speed of movement of said machine.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 5 including a motor and a hydrostatictransmission, said hydrostatic transmission being operatively connectedto said pair of spaced wheels, and power control means operativelysupported on said body means adjacent said dirigible wheel andoperatively connected to said hydrostatic transmission for controllingthe direction and speed of said machine.

1. A machine of the type for applying a coating to a surface such asapplying a sealant to asphalt pavement, said machine comprising; bodymeans including spreader means for distributing fluid over a surface andreservoir means for storing fluid and dispensing fluid to said spreadermeans, first wheel means movably supporting said body means andconnected to said body means for rotation relative thereto about anaxis, said spreader means disposed on a first side of said axis, secondwheel means disposed on a second side of said axis, and positioningmeans interconnecting said second wheel means and said body means tomove the body means relative to the second wheel means for rotating saidbody means about said axis to vary the vertical position of saidspreader means above the surface supporting said machine said secondwheel means including at least one shaft support operatively connectedto said positioning means, at least one shaft rotatably supported bysaid shaft support, at least one dirigible wheel operatively connectedto said shaft, and steering means connected to said shaft for rotatingsaid shaft to steer said machine.
 2. A machine as set forth in claim 1wherein said positioning means includes a manually graspable lever armpivotally supported on said body means for movement between an extremeraised position where said spreader means is at a maximum heightrelative to the surface and an extreme lowered position where saidspreader means is at a minimum height relative to the surface.
 3. Amachine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said positioning means furtherincludes a pair of generally parallel links pivotally connected at firstends thereof to said body means and pivotally connected at second endsthereof to said shaft support, said links being connected to said leverarm for movement therewith.
 4. A machine as set forth in claim 3 whereinsaid second wheel means includes a single dirigible wheel.
 5. A machineas set forth in claim 4 wherein said first wheel means includes a pairof spaced wheels.
 6. A machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein saidreservoir means comprises a tank, said first ends of said links beingpivotally connected to said tank for pivotal movement about a horizontalaxis, said lever arm being pivotally connected to said tank for fore andaft movement along one side thereof, guide means secured to said oneside of said tank for guiding movement of said lever arm and forretaining said lever arm in at least said extreme lowered position, amotor drive meAns disposed on the opposite extremity of said tank fromsaid dirigible wheel and between said tank and said spreader means, saidmotor drive means being operatively connected to said pair of spacedwheels, said spreader means including a first and second scraper meanswith a rotatable spreader disposed therebetween, rotary agitator meansdisposed in said tank for mixing the fluid therein, a conduit extendingfrom said tank to a valve disposed above said first scraper means,linkage means operatively connected to said valve and extending to acontrol lever pivotally supported on said tank for opening and closingsaid valve to selectively dispense fluid to said first scraper means,motion transmitting means operatively interconnecting said motor drivemeans and said agitator means and said rotatable spreader for rotatingsame, and power control means operatively supported by said tankadjacent said dirigible wheel and operatively connected to said motordrive means for controlling the direction and speed of movement of saidmachine.
 7. A machine as set forth in claim 5 including a motor and ahydrostatic transmission, said hydrostatic transmission beingoperatively connected to said pair of spaced wheels, and power controlmeans operatively supported on said body means adjacent said dirigiblewheel and operatively connected to said hydrostatic transmission forcontrolling the direction and speed of said machine.